We all have some sort of planning system. For years I used Outlook on my computer at work that had a sync to my smart phone. I kept all of my appointments and contacts there. At the time that's all I thought I really needed in order to plan my week. Unfortunately, for security reasons I no longer have the option of using this system at work (no cell phones or syncing to computers allowed!) so I had to look for an alternative.
I really had no idea the meditative and introspective qualities planning has - seriously! It really does and I will explain further.
So I bought a Planner Pad because I had heard very good things about it and it's set up like this:
The top section you list your weekly activities by category, the middle section you put in your daily things to do and then this funnels down to the bottom section where you make the actual appointments. Notes/calls are on the side. There are also pages in the back that are lined to help you track goals etc. At around $25.00 each they aren't bad.
This was the first time in my planning that I sat down and actually thought about all of the different hats I wear and what I had to do for each and that was very beneficial. However, the funneling thing just wasn't working for me which led to me not using the planner as much as I should have. I know some people adore this planner but it just wasn't working with my brain.
Then I moved on to Franklin Covey. I really debated about getting a one year spiral bound planner or buying a really nice binder with their entire Master Planner system.
You see I need as much Master Planning as I can get. Not only do I have a hectic schedule with a full time job, teaching yoga, wellness coaching, taking care of myself and trying to have a relationship but add to that I am trying to plan a wedding for September 2010 and I need a whole hell of a lot of master planning!
First let me say that it is an investment. I spent about $70 total for the binder and the system but I just cannot sing its praises enough.
Here is my very swanky binder and it's not huge, smaller than a sheet of paper but not a pocket size binder.
So what is this Master Planner system and why do I feel like it has brought a sense of Zen to my weekly planning? First, there are sections in the back of the planner that take you through some exercises to realize what your values, mission and goals are. Part of this is determining all of the roles you have. This is really the backbone of the system and I get to start each week off by filling out one of these:
The first section are the things I am going to so for myself this week, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Then each section is a particular role I have. HR manager, yoga teacher, wellness coach, student, bride to be, etc. For each of them I write down the big goals I want to accomplish for just this week. This little guy then goes into my clear bookmark and everyday I open my planner up and am reminded of what I need to do. Then I plan my days accordingly.
It has monthly tabs so I can see each month at a glance and then it has two pages for each day.
Here I can write in my daily to do's by priority, appointments and any notes I need to write. So I don't have post it's everywhere or need to carry an additional notebook. Everything is right here. There are additional tabs and note pages in the back if I am planning a special project and tons of other little goodies.
So why does this system work for me, maybe its because I take the time to look at what I want to accomplish in the week from all different levels. Then I can take each day as it comes rather than trying to see a whole week at a time.
This system makes me reflect. I take 20 minutes every Sunday to sit down and really evaluate how I am going to take care of myself and what I am going to accomplish in each of my roles for the week. I never get too far ahead of myself and I don't feel overwhelmed. I am also addressing all of the areas of my life, not just the professional ones.
I realize that this system won't work for everyone but I thought I would share how it really has profoundly changed how I do things. I feel that I really have grasped a little bit of Zen when it comes to my organization and planning now.
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